Certifications along the value chain ("from the field to the plate") are important to ensure the safety and quality of feed and food and to be competitive on the market. External audits provide independent and objective proof of compliance with certain requirements.

The pastus+ certification programme is a quality assurance system with the aim of establishing uniform quality criteria for animal feed that go beyond the legal requirements. This ensures that the requirements of quality programmes in the food sector (e.g. AMA quality seal) are met transparently at all marketing levels. In order to be able to use the AMA quality seal, for example, farmers may only feed their animals with pastus+ certified feed. The pastus+ certification programme is aimed at companies in the areas of feed production, feed trade, feed transport and storage, as well as operators of mobile grinding and mixing plants.

The first step in the certification programme is to register with AMA-Marketing GmbH and submit an application for the pastus+ certification programme to us. Once the inspection contract has been concluded with us, the initial inspection or the annual on-site inspection is carried out by our experienced auditors using a predefined checklist. A test report is drawn up which - if the assessment is positive - entitles you to conclude a licence agreement with AMA-Marketing GmbH and to use the pastus+ seal on your feed.

The following areas, among others, can be covered by us as part of the pastus+ certification programme:

• Comprehensive advice on the pastus+ certification process
• Carrying out the initial audit and annual re-audits on site
• Evaluation of the requirements in the company and issuing the test report for AMA certification
• Issuing the pastus+ certificate

The AGES certification body is an independent organisation with high quality standards. We support and coordinate the pastus+ certification process from the enquiry to the issuing of the certificate, helping companies to demonstrate their competence and thus strengthen the trust of their customers.

The AGES certification body has a comprehensive quality management system, is accredited in accordance with ISO 17065 for the pastus+ standard and has been working with highly qualified auditors for many years.

Note: The certification body for products "Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH" is accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 as a certification body for products with the identification number 0716 by Akkreditierung Austria / Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET) for the conformity assessment activities listed. The current scope of accreditation can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism(company query) by entering "0716" as the accredited body and the product certification body as the accredited programme.

Further information on our services in the certification process and on pastus+ in general can be found here and on the AMA homepage.

We will be happy to provide you with information and details of any fees incurred.